A noun + noun collocation is an established combination of two nouns that commonly occur together, such as traffic jam, market research, or bus stop. In many combinations, the second noun identifies what the expression refers to, while the first…
An adverb + adjective collocation is an established combination in which an adverb modifies an adjective. Common examples include deeply concerned, highly unlikely, and perfectly clear. The adverb can change more than the strength of a description. It may express…
A verb + preposition collocation is a familiar combination in which a verb regularly appears with a particular preposition. Common examples include depend on, listen to, believe in, and apologise for. The preposition connects the verb to another part of…
An adjective + noun collocation is an established word combination in which an adjective commonly describes a particular noun. Examples include heavy traffic, narrow escape, and compelling evidence. Some combinations are easy to predict. Others are established through usage and…
A verb + noun collocation is an established combination of a verb and a noun, such as settle a bill, keep a secret, or grant permission. These expressions are common in English, but choosing the right verb isn’t always straightforward.…
English collocations can be classified in different ways. Make a decision is a verb + noun combination, while interested in follows an adjective + preposition pattern. Some classifications focus on the words involved, while others consider how closely those words…
You can know the meaning of every word in a sentence and still be unsure which words belong together. In English, we naturally say heavy traffic, but strong traffic sounds unusual. Both adjectives are familiar, yet they don’t combine with…
The hardest part of describing yourself is not finding positive words. It is choosing words that are accurate, relevant, and believable. Words such as reliable, adaptable, curious, and confident can all describe strengths, but they do not fit every person…
Emotion words help you describe how someone feels, but similar words often differ in cause, strength, or tone. A person can be nervous, anxious, worried, or apprehensive, for example, but those words are not always interchangeable. The best word is…